Fifth Camanachd Cup final defeat in seven years ‘tough to take’ for Lovat manager Jamie Matheson after Kingussie win three in-a-row
Lovat manager Jamie Matheson blamed uncharacteristically poor defending for the goals that consigned his team to a fifth Camanachd Cup final defeat in seven years.
The Kiltarlity club’s renewed agony in the showpiece final in Fort William came after a ferocious and enthralling contest full of thrills and spills – and a red card apiece.
The greater killer touch was with Kingussie on the day as they edged it 3-2 to land their third triumph in a row.
Lovat, 2015 winners, fought valiantly, but were ultimately unable to stop the Kingussie machine’s momentum, although Matheson understandably felt fine margins were at play.
“It was a tough one to take,” the Balgate boss said.
“I thought we actually did okay in the first half, although we didn’t have as much of the game as I would have liked.
“At 2-2, I was maybe a little bit down because the goals we let in were not like us. We’re normally a little bit stronger than that, but I thought we came out in the second half and played well.
“The sending off obviously changed it in our favour and I thought we looked really dangerous, but then the second red changes it back – and Kingussie has seen the game out really well.”
Lovat certainly played their part in a fantastic spectacle, twice taking the lead with terrific goals from Danny Kelly and then Fraser Heath.
But the Kings always looked capable of pegging them back and did so each time through fine finishes from Dylan Borthwick and then Cameron Bremner.
A second from Dylan Borthwick four minutes into the second half would prove to be the winner, but the heat and action continued to flair until the death.
The final burst into life after 13 minutes when Danny Kelly’s low strike took a bounce to deceive keeper Rory McGregor and send Lovat ahead.
Kingussie levelled almost immediately when Dylan Borthwick fired high into the net from close range.
Lovat led for a second time when Heath controlled a high ball, before turning adeptly and firing a great drive under the crossbar.
Again, Kingussie battled back, this time with Savio Genini’s clever reverse pass feeding Cameron Bremner in space on the right, before a crisp finish.
Just four minutes into the second half, a fine double save from Lovat keeper Stuart MacDonald looked to have denied Dylan Borthwick, but Kingussie’s top scorer netted at the third attempt.
Borthwick could have had a hat-trick but saw his penalty saved by Stuart MacDonald.
The Kings then went a man down with 20 minutes remaining when Cameron Bremner for retaliating after Calum Cruden deliberately stepped on his ankle during a halt in play. Cruden was fortunate not to follow him.
Parity in personnel was restored in 84 minutes when Lovat’s Heath received his marching orders from referee Willie MacDonald amid a real melee where several went unpunished.
